“This is another example of gun violence that is becoming all too common in communities large and small all across the United States,” Earnest said. “And while there is no piece of legislation that will end all violence in this country, there are some common sense things that only Congress can do that we know would have a tangible impact in reducing gun violence in this country. Congress could take those steps in a way that would not infringe on the constitutional rights of law abiding Americans.”

Obama also called on Congress to take action following the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school that left 26 dead. But just months later, legislation that Obama backed, which would have included measures such as expanding background checks, failed in the Senate. Obama has called the failure to pass gun reform “the greatest frustration” of his presidency and said last month that he would continue to push for reform during the remainder of his time in office.